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The Beach<\/em> may have given SE Asia’s beaches a bad name (by the way the book is far superior than the crappy Leo movie, which is usually true of any book made into a movie, but in this case it’s just more true) but I can assure you that you’re more likely going to run into the beach of your dreams before you run into any self-exiled groups of deranged backpackers who spend their days taking hallucinogens and killing off their fellow villagers (although it’s a big region, you never know).<\/p>\n This article describes some of the area’s most idyllic getaways in the region<\/a>, from Thailand to Vietnam.<\/p>\n Vietnam<\/strong><\/p>\n It notes how Vietnam, with a population that’s half under-25 (that’s around 40 million)<\/a>, is really taking off as a major destination in the world, and many are heading to the pristine white sands of China Beach to enjoy surfing and to stretch their strong currency.<\/p>\n Indonesia<\/strong><\/p>\n To get away from the crowds head to isolated Gili Trawangan in Indonesia where cars are forbidden, snorkeling is aplenty<\/a>, and given the hippyish vibe here you may run into that long-lost English teacher you had in high school who used to listen to the Dead and drove a beat-up station wagon.<\/p>\n